I’m Katja Beauchamp, Co-Founder and CEO of Birchbox and This Is How I Work
Katja Beauchamp is the co-founder and CEO of Birchbox , a beauty e-commerce site and sample product subscription service . Since its inception in 2010, Birchbox has gained over 1 million subscribers worldwide and 4 million customers. Fashionista.com calls Birchbox “the undisputed cosmetic subscription box phenomenon .” Katya lives in New York with her husband and twin boys. This is how it works.
Location: New York. Current place of work: Co-founder and CEO of Birchbox. One word that best describes how you work: “ Curious.” I have a great appetite for learning. Current mobile device: iPhone 7 Current computer: Macbook Air
First of all, tell me a little about your past and how you became who you are today.
I’m from El Paso, Texas. I grew up with no understanding of the beauty industry or entrepreneurship. I moved to the northeast to attend college in Vassar and then embarked on a career in finance, particularly in investment banking and commercial real estate. I decided to go to business school because I was interested in rethinking the industries, and while I was there, I was really excited about the idea of entrepreneurship as a way to make a really interesting and interesting career.
What apps, software or tools can’t you live without?
At work, I rely heavily on Google Docs – they are very useful for collaboration and exchange of opinions.
How is your workplace arranged?
Our office is very open and I am sitting right in the center. My desk is very minimal, but I do work everywhere – from my phone in the car, from my laptop on the couch in one of our shared workstations, etc.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
I use voice memos, but my biggest strategy is to just make a priority list every day and try to stick to it (and not let my inbox take over).
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
What are some of the things you do best in everyday life? What’s your secret?
I would say that I have an unusual delight in the unexpected. I am very intellectually stimulated by difficult things and the ability to deal with uncertainty. In this state, I am calm and happy, not anxious. I truly believe that the only way to be successful today is to understand that insecurity IS work and not about the light at the end of the tunnel.
What do you listen to while you work? Have a favorite playlist? Maybe we can talk on the radio? Or do you prefer silence?
I don’t listen to anything while I work – I prefer silence to be most productive, but sometimes I slip away for a few minutes to meditate and refocus. I love listening to podcasts on my way to work, although right now my favorites are Answer All and Planet Money .
What are you reading now? Or what would you recommend?
I just finished two great novels: Water Castle and Never Let Go . I also always read the latest news from Wait But Why .
How do you replenish? What do you do when you want to forget about work?
I meditate, play with children, talk to loved ones, and cook dinner with my husband.
What is your sleep pattern? Are you a night owl or get up early?
I naturally wake up early, but now I need to adapt – sometimes I have board meetings that start at 9 pm.
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve received a lot of great advice over the years, but most of what I’m holding on to now is creating my own reality and the idea of self-fulfilling prophecies. Being in the game is a huge part of winning the game, which is why a lot of people get disconnected. I’ve learned a lot about building resilience and believing that you can handle whatever is thrown at you.